Evolution RAGE4 metal-cutting saw
- Thread starter BTL-A4
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I took a look at that one. A saw plus the stand is about $240. The saws at HF barely cut a 2x2 at 45º (I brought in a 2x2 and checked). I had to remove a plastic cover off the wheel to get the piece in there. It also doesn't have a clamp, but I could probably figure out something. The 3-star reviews (4% of the total) state it's a bit fussy to get a saw installed and the angle cuts are not great. Still, it's an option, since it does work.
Realistically, it sounds like you just need a dry cut saw. If you're that price limited, you're going to wind up with a bandsaw that is fussy, and is causing you the same problem you're having now. The Evo saws will give you great performance for less money. You just pay the price in noise, chips, and blades.
Yeah, I'm having a hard time deciding! lol! The noise isn't a major issue. The chips kinda are; I do lots of woodworking and I'm afraid hot metal will ignite something. I'll just have to point the saw outside, or attach dust collection. They say these saws don't produce much heat, but that may be compared to an abrasive saw.
I've sold my small abrasive saw (haven't used it in years) and will sell my 14" abrasive chop saw this week, I think.
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You might want to look at the Kaka Industries bench top bandsaws
Both can cut 2"+ @45°
BS85
BS150
Both can cut 2"+ @45°
BS85
BS150
I keep my Evo380 in the container where most of my longer steel is stored, along with one of my 5x6 bandsaws - the two things that make it bearable are ear muffs, and one of these
www.harborfreight.com
My "MDVT" (MagDrillViseTable) is in another area (over gravel)
and there's a second sweeper kept there - THAT one will extract the spiral swarf from the gravel.
The sweeper in the container picks up the chips and any grinding dust thoroughly - if anybody tried to steal EITHER sweeper, there'd likely be blood involved... Steve
30 In. Magnetic Sweeper with Wheels
Amazing deals on this 30In Magnetic Sweeper With Wheels at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com
My "MDVT" (MagDrillViseTable) is in another area (over gravel)
and there's a second sweeper kept there - THAT one will extract the spiral swarf from the gravel.The sweeper in the container picks up the chips and any grinding dust thoroughly - if anybody tried to steal EITHER sweeper, there'd likely be blood involved... Steve
Interesting find. I'm aware of the Kaka bending tools, but didn't know they made power tools. Seems legit. Variable speed, power comparable and cut capacity similar to the Trajan, etc for about half the cost.
IRQVET
Well-known member
I've got the Evolution Rage, had it for several years for cutting metal- works great.
I found an Evolution Rage2 on FB. They retailed for $229, I got mine for $165. It has similar specs as far as I can tell to the Evolution R355CPS, which is currently around $350. This one is like-new.
I figured I already have a portable bandsaw on a Swag Offroad table I can use, but this will cut nice clean miters and ends, and will cut a 2"x 2" at 45º. I sold both my abrasive chop saws for $85. I do not like them because of the sparks.
I thought I might even sell my wood cutting miter saw and get an Evolution miter saw so I'd just have one saw. I'll try this and see how it goes.
Thanks for the help and input everyone, I hope others find this useful.
I figured I already have a portable bandsaw on a Swag Offroad table I can use, but this will cut nice clean miters and ends, and will cut a 2"x 2" at 45º. I sold both my abrasive chop saws for $85. I do not like them because of the sparks.
I thought I might even sell my wood cutting miter saw and get an Evolution miter saw so I'd just have one saw. I'll try this and see how it goes.
Thanks for the help and input everyone, I hope others find this useful.
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Bigger better EVOSAW380 on sale from evolution now for $299.
$180 off.
https://store.evolutionpowertools.c...ource=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=20530802858
$180 off.
https://store.evolutionpowertools.c...ource=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=20530802858
Beerhippie
Well-known member
I see it says it's "mild steel blade". Does that mean no stainless, or just not hardened?
Web description says "*Designed to cut mild steel only. Do not use this blade for galvanized, hardened, or high-carbon steel."
They do sell a stainless capable blade - https://store.evolutionpowertools.com/products/14-in-stainless-steel-tct-blade
The EVO380 is the best metal specific saw Evolution Tools sells, it is robust, simple, and effective.
You can run any 14" blade on the market give you match or adapt to the arbor size.
I used this saw in a small production shop for years, in the dry cut category this is the best bang to buck saw on the market.
Every dry cut saw will have a high level of consumables, cutting hardened or stainless steel will expedite blade changes. Another reason I suggest a band saw over this saw for many.
strength_and_power
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2015
- Messages
- 1,398
Loud is pretty much universal across the board with dry cut saws. All the heat from the cut goes into the chip and even with a chip tray, those little bastards get everywhere. Including embedding into the soles af your shoes and get carried inside.
PPE is a must.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
My abrasive cut-off saw is so quiet, I can barely hear it from just blocks away.
IRQVET
Well-known member
Usually I cut alot of 16g, but I know it can handle alot more than that- I've just never tried.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You're still using it? Wow, I couldn't hear it at all
rixtrix1
Well-known member
I just ordered a WEN CM-1452 from HD for $239. From all aspects, it's the same as the Evolution EVOSAW380, only orange and black and badged as "WEN". Comes with the 14", 66T mild steel blade( also orange and black and badged as "WEN"), cast aluminum base and cast iron miter clamp, removeable chip tray, etc., but only a 2 year warranty. But it does have the 10' cord. I believe the RAGE2 only has a 6' cord along with a stamped steel base and no removeable chip tray.
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WWheeler
Well-known member
lol, 15 minutes ago I had no idea I was shopping for a metal cutting saw, but was reading a few posts on this thread and wandered over to Amazon to check out some specs and reviews, and then googled a model number I liked, Evolution Power Tools R255SMS+ PLUS 10-Inch Sliding Miter Saw that Amazon currently has for $250, then found my way to Evolution's site and it was on sale for $199, with free shipping, and they threw up a 1st time 5% off code, and welp, I bit that lure and swam fast as I could straight to their boat and jumped in. I don't even have room in my shop for it right now. I'm going to have to move some stuff around.
Looks like GJ just got me again, this time for $206
< laughing and crying.
I joke, but I've needed a chop saw so many times and just never got off the fence to finally get one. I've freehanded with an angle grinder and sanded until it was 'square enough' waaaay too much 2" angle to not have gotten this before now. Closest thing I've had to a chop saw has been this lil ****** (lol)...
Looks like GJ just got me again, this time for $206
< laughing and crying.I joke, but I've needed a chop saw so many times and just never got off the fence to finally get one. I've freehanded with an angle grinder and sanded until it was 'square enough' waaaay too much 2" angle to not have gotten this before now. Closest thing I've had to a chop saw has been this lil ****** (lol)...
rixtrix1
Well-known member
Good deal there, too, WWheeler! I went to Evolution's site today, too, and saw the 380 on sale for $299(retail $479) and almost went that way until reading some reviews elsewhere about the WEN at HD being the same thing, only re-badged and saved $61 by getting that one. I was going to try to use the Evo site pricing to negotiate a deal at HD so I could use Christmas gift cards for the 380 and ended up having enough left over to get a 14" SS cutting blade as I have a lot of exhaust work coming up.lol, 15 minutes ago I had no idea I was shopping for a metal cutting saw, but was reading a few posts on this thread and wandered over to Amazon to check out some specs and reviews, and then googled a model number I liked, Evolution Power Tools R255SMS+ PLUS 10-Inch Sliding Miter Saw that Amazon currently has for $250, then found my way to Evolution's site and it was on sale for $199, with free shipping, and they threw up a 1st time 5% off code, and welp, I bit that lure and swam fast as I could straight to their boat and jumped in. I don't even have room in my shop for it right now. I'm going to have to move some stuff around.
Looks like GJ just got me again, this time for $206
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WWheeler
Well-known member
Just an update. Got the Evolution R255SMS-DB in and a 10" (blue) metal blade to go on it, since I won't be using it for wood, but I'll have that mixed material blade if I get to using anything that might have nails. I also bolted on a pair of mounting brackets for my Ridgid miter saw stand, since I don't really have space for it plus don't want to be throwing metal chips all over the shop so I plan to be using it outside as much as possible (mother nature will have final say).
The holes in the saw were just a hair too small diameter for the brackets, and they employ carriage bolts in slots in the bottom so couldn't practicably go to a smaller size bolt, so had to whip out the drill and open them up just a hair. Nothing like voiding the warranty before it's been out of the box for an hour. lol
Got her all put together, calibrated, and put to a little light use so far. This will be slight overkill for my uses, which is good.
The holes in the saw were just a hair too small diameter for the brackets, and they employ carriage bolts in slots in the bottom so couldn't practicably go to a smaller size bolt, so had to whip out the drill and open them up just a hair. Nothing like voiding the warranty before it's been out of the box for an hour. lol
Got her all put together, calibrated, and put to a little light use so far. This will be slight overkill for my uses, which is good.
I would like to buy a bandsaw that can miter close to 4” round at 45 degrees. The Grizzly will do 3.75, which is close enough. Anything else you would consider? I currently have a hand held Dewalt mounted on a Swag table and don’t really like it for mitering and it has limited capacity, though I do like the table top design and small footprint.
Dake Benchtop Horizontal Band Saw SE 5X6 RCT
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Thanks for the recommendations! The Dake is probably the top of my budget, but that is one more to consider with the Grizzly. The Femi is almost twice as much and I can’t spend that much. I need to think about the Grizzly swivel head versus the Dake traditional bench top miter.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
If I had the budget, I'd go with one of the smaller Ellis saws, their 1200 will cut a 5" round @45 degrees. That is somewhere in the $3500 range though, so not really on the same level as that Grizzly and way over my budget for a bandsaw.
Ellis 1200
I was just using the Grizzly as an example of the type, have not used one. I'd think it is a decent choice though for the under $1000 (barely) budget.
If you work with long stock, the miter style is really nice as the head turns instead of swinging a long piece of stock in an arc across your shop space.